DISTRICT residents will be able to watch Oberon Council meetings from the comfort of their home under a change being pushed by the NSW Government.
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Livestreaming of council meetings is set to become mandatory under a new Model Code of Meeting Practice announced by NSW Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton recently.
In 12 months it will be mandatory for all councils in NSW to webcast their meetings to ensure all residents will have the opportunity to follow the decision making processes of their council.
Ms Upton said the new rules would ensure “meetings will be more transparent, informed, inclusive and respectful”.
"For the first time, there will be a uniform set of meeting rules for councils across the state to help ensure more accessible, orderly, effective and efficient meetings," she said.
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The NSW Government says the code is focused on improving transparency and public involvement.
Oberon Council general manager Gary Wallace said council will have to make a decision on how to implement the new requirement.
“We have to decide to live-stream or tape and put up online,” he said.
“Council have to investigate an appropriate way for connectivity and make sure there are no problems with going live.”
Ms Upton said some councils are already livestreaming their meetings and she is encouraging other councils “to show they are proud of their meetings and want as many of their residents to be able to follow their decision making processes”.
“The code includes optional time limits on meetings, a five-minute limit on councillor speeches, uniform rules of debate, and limits on mayoral minutes,” she said.
“There have been too many instances where mayoral minutes have been used to bring issues to the council without proper notice.”
Councils are also encouraged to hold public forums before ordinary meetings.
